Delaware Community School Corporation

DELAWARE COMMUNITY SCHOOL CORPORATION

SCHOOL BOARD MEETING

MONDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 2024

6:30 p.m. 

ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

MINUTES

Present:  Lance Engle, President; Valerie Alexander, Vice President; Jacob Case, Secretary; John Adams, Member; Alice Gillis, Member; Darin Gullion, Assistant Superintendent; and Greg Kile, Superintendent

1. CALL TO ORDER

At 6:30 p.m. Board President, Lance Engle called the meeting to order.

2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 

3. AMEND AGENDA

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Valerie Alexander to amend the agenda, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. COMMUNICATIONS FROM THE FLOOR 

No comments were received.

     

5. UPDATES FROM PRINCIPALS/DIRECTORS

6. SPECIAL PRESENTATION:  Matt Mayol

CONSENT AGENDA

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the following under Consent Agenda:

7. MINUTES

Accepted the minutes of the business meeting held on Monday, January 8, 2024.

8. FINANCE

1. Accepted the list of vouchers, as presented. 

9. NEW BUSINESS

1. Certified Staff

1. None.

2. Classified Staff

1. Termination of Kimberly Bennett, Custodian at Eaton Elementary School, effective immediately.

2. Resignation of Nathan Evans, Custodian at Eaton Elementary School, effective January 25, 2024.

3. Resignation of Wynona Rushing, Food Service Cook at Delta Middle School, effective February 2, 2024.

4. Resignation of Jeff Hardin, School Bus Driver, effective immediately.

5. Resignation of Brittany Bronnenberg, Latchkey Aide, effective        February 8, 2024.

6. Recommendation to employ Beth Lee as a Custodian at Delta High School effective February 6, 2024, pending successful completion of all              pre-employment testing.

7. Recommendation to employ Brandy Arnold as an Instructional Assistant at Royerton Elementary School effective February 6, 2024.

8. Recommendation to employ Abigail Reeves as a Latchkey Aide effective February 6, 2024.

9. Recommendation to employ Johnathon Zirkle as a Custodian at Delta High School effective immediately, pending successful completion of all         pre-employment testing.

3. Extra-Curricular

1. Recommendation to employ Scott Baker as an Assistant Varsity Baseball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

2. Recommendation to employ Erin Heflin as a JV Softball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2023-24 school year, pending successful completion of all pre-employment testing.

3. Recommendation to appoint Tyler Gilland as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

4. Recommendation to appoint Brady Edwards as a Volunteer Assistant Baseball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

5. Recommendation to appoint Mia Ramsey as a Volunteer Assistant Softball Coach at Delta High School effective for the 2023-24 school year.

4. Conference Requests/Field Trips

1. Chris Overholt requests permission to attend the Glazier Football Clinic to be held on January 26, 2024 at the Marriott in Indianapolis, IN.

2. Lance Brand and Noah Henry request permission to attend Cisco Security Training to be held on January 30, 2024 at the Indiana Farm Bureau Center in Indianapolis, IN.

3. Christopher Conley, Joey Gossett, Cindy Kunda, Nancy Kunk, Sam Carlton, James Lodl, and Mary May request permission to attend the RECN Quad Meeting to be held on February 5, 2024 at Winchester High School in Winchester, IN.

4. Greg Kile and Cheryl Dominick request permission to attend the IASBO Budgeting Fundamentals Seminar to be held on February 8, 2024 at the Embassy Suites Conference Center in Plainfield, IN.

5. Cheryl Dominick requests permission to attend the IASBO Group Health and Medical Insurance Seminar to be held virtually on February 15, 2024.

6. Lindsey Thompson requests permission to attend the ICTM-HASTI Conference to be held from February 18, 2024 through February 19, 2024 at the Marriott East in Indianapolis, IN.

7. Robin Royal, Katie McGuire, Matt Huber, Kristina Gibson, and Judith Reynolds request permission to attend UFLI Training to be held on February 22, 2024 and February 27, 2024 at Delta Middle School.

8. Scott Blakely requests permission to attend ASI training to be held from March 11, 2024 through March 13, 2024 at the Westville Event Center in Westville, IN.

9. Bethany Davis and Jerry Mendenhall request permission to attend Kindergarten Round-up to be held on April 22, 2024 at Eaton Elementary School.

10. Whitney Hood and Ashley Osterholt request permission to attend UFLI Training to be held on May 2, 2024 at Delta Middle School.

11. Christopher Conley requests permission to attend the IHSAA Board Retreat to be held from June 19, 2024 through June 20, 2024.

12. Christopher Conley requests permission to attend the NFHS Summer Meeting to be held from June 27, 2024 through July 1, 2024 at the Marriott in Boston, MA.

5. Use of Facilities

1. Nick Pipito, Delta Little League, requests permission to use the Royerton baseball fields from January 2024 through December 2024 to hold youth baseball leagues, as presented.

2. Nick Pipito, Delta Little League, requests permission to use the Albany baseball fields from January 2024 through December 2024 to hold youth baseball leagues, as presented.

3. Aaron Carter, Delta Girls’ Softball Association, requests permission to use the Royerton softball fields from March 2024 through October 2024 to hold softball leagues, as presented.

4. Tamara Meacham, Albany Tri-Kappa, requests permission to use the Albany Elementary gymnasium on April 9, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. to hold a scholarship fundraiser, as presented.

5. Al Hodren, Secret Families, requests permission to use the Delta High School parking lots on April 13, 2024 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to hold Pull A Tractor fundraiser, as presented.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

AGENDA

10. FINANCE

1. Purchases over $5000:

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the following (items 1-4):

1.   AVI EDU $8,116.00

(ViewBoards)

2. Wright Way Automotive Repair OP $8,760.00

(Boss Power steel blade installation)

3. Browning Chapman FS $28,825.00

(EES kitchen floor contract)

4. Short’s Glass Bond 2023 $33,425.00

(AES/DHS steel door replacement)

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the Early Literacy Achievement Grant ($69,562.48), as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

3. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the 1008 Student Learning Recovery Grant ($12,500.00), as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

4. Assistant Superintendent Dr. Gullion informed the Board about a $1,500,000.00 transfer into TrustINdiana, as presented.  

5. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by Valerie Alexander to approve the DMS ECA accounts, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

6. A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the Eaton Elementary Gym Floor Contract, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by John Adams to approve the destruction of outdated check and receipt stock, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

8. Dr. Gullion, Assistant Superintendent, gave a Monthly Finance Review.

11. NEW BUSINESS

1. Certified Staff

1. None.

2. Classified Staff

1. None.

3. Information and Proposals

1. Superintendent

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve following (items a-b):

1. AES Long Term Sub.

2. DMS Long Term Sub.  

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the following (items c-e):

3. DHS Girls’ Swim/Dive trip.

4. DHS Boys’ Swim/Dive trip.

5. DHS wrestling trips.  

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

6. A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by John Adams to approve the ASL Interpreter Contract, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

7. A motion was made by Alice Gillis and seconded by John Adams to approve the permission to advertise the Albany parking lot project and Albany renovation project, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

8. Superintendent Kile informed the Board about the following fundraisers (information only):

1. Kelli Edwards, DHS Riley Dance Marathon, requests permission to collect donations, as presented.  Proceeds go towards Riley Children’s Hospital.

2. Jessica Papandria, DMS Class of 2029, requests permission to sell Soapy Joes laundry detergent from January 29, 2024 through February 9 ,2024, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the Washington D.C. trip account.

3. Wendy Brown and Morgan Jones, DMS DJHS, request permission to sell Candy Grams from February 1, 2024 through February 12, 2024, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the DJHS account.

4. Teresa Schwer, RES Student Council, requests permission to  sell Smencils and pretzels from February 7, 2024 through February 14, 2024, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the Student Council fund.

5. Shane Conley, DHS Track and Field, requests permission to hold a Snap! Fundraiser in March 2024, as presented.  Proceeds go towards the ECA account.

1. Assistant Superintendent

1. Donations:

A motion was made by John Adams and seconded by Jacob Case to approve the following (items 1-6):

1. Request for Eaton Elementary School to accept a donation in the amount of $550.00 from Eaton Alumni, as presented.

2. Request for Delta High School to accept a donation in the amount of $750.00 from Brian and Melissa Osner, as presented.

3. Request for Delta High School to accept the donation of furniture from Meridian Service- Primetime, as presented.

4. Request for Delaware Community Schools to accept the donation of Chromebook carts from Carmel Clay Schools, as presented.

5. Request for Delta High School to accept a donation in the amount of $350.00, as presented.

6. Request for Delaware Community Schools to accept the donation of Stop The Bleed Kits from the Coutinho family, as presented.

The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

2. A motion was made by Valerie Alexander and seconded by Alice Gillis to approve the request for Albany Elementary to surplus items, as presented.  The motion was approved 5-0 vote.

12. LETTERS/NOTES

13. BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS

Alice Gillis – Ms. Gillis thanked everyone for coming.  She joked that the Eaton Alumni Association waited for Mr. Blakely to leave Eaton Elementary before they would donate.  She stated she was glad they could give, they asked Ms. Wilder what she needed and they gave her what was needed.  She thanked Ms. Lewman and Mr. Marshall for their updates and stated it’s always good to hear how the kids are doing.  She congratulated the students at Albany who are going to the Spelling Bee.  She wished good luck to the science fair participants.  She thanked Mr. Blakely for securing the Stop the Bleed kits and stated she’s sure they will come in handy.  She wished good luck to the swimmers, divers, and wrestlers as they move forward.  She stated it was good to hear the girls’ had a good basketball season.  She wished good luck to all spring athlete’s seasons coming up.  She thanked Mr. Mayol and his team for all the effort they have put into the Albany project.  She thanked Dr. Gullion for his financial review and stated she’s glad he keeps us in shape.

John Adams – Mr. Adams concurred with his fellow board member.  He thanked Mr. Mayol for coming and letting them know what’s happening with the Albany project and stated he appreciates him and his time and effort.  He thanked everyone in the group who are working with Mr. Mayol to get this to an end so they can get the project started.  He stated the Albany community deserves it and it will be a great asset to the community.  He congratulated the sports teams on all the success they are having.  He stated they all played hard and that’s all we can ask for.  He commented they’ve had great sportsmanship, they are learning in the classroom and also learning about being adults out on the floor, and they are learning how to accomplish goals.  He appreciates the administrators for the updates on their buildings.  He stated it’s important they take time out of their evenings to come and share.  He encouraged them that any time they can come and present so the Board can hear about testing results, Spelling Bees, etc.; it makes them proud to hear about all the good things going on in our school system.  He stated that’s a testament to the team that has been assembled to carry on these duties and he doesn’t want it to go unnoticed.  He stated from the bus drivers taking active shooter training to the food service staff, there is a lot that goes on here.  He stated then you have Dr. Brand behind the scenes working on systems and no one knows that and it’s all great stuff.  He stated he’s grateful Dr. Brand thought to put out information about Chromebook carts to see what was out there.  He stated all that stuff is so important and the average citizen doesn’t know that and they don’t know the hours put in so we can be the kind of school we want to be.  He stated we have people working hard and it means a lot.  He thanked Carmel Clay Schools and our community for their donations.  He thanked the Coutinho and Osner families who truly care about our school corporation.  He stated this is one of those meetings where you get to sit back and reflect a little bit because we have a lot of good stuff, good people, and great things happening every day.  He thanked everyone and appreciates their hard work.  He asked everyone to keep the Williams and Voke families in their thoughts.

Jacob Case – Mr. Case congratulated Royerton for the literacy recognition from the Indiana Department of Education they will receive and thanked them for all their hard work.  He stated Albany and Eaton also do a lot of hard work with our kids as well and put in a lot of time.  He congratulated the girls’ swim and diving team.  He informed everyone they won 11 of 12 events at Jay County.  He stated we have a wonderful AD and Mr. Case got to see first-hand how great he is.  He stated Mr. Clark was going back and forth between swimming and wrestling and jumped in the pool with the swimmers after they won.  He stated we have boys’ swimming coming up and wrestling going to semi-state and wished good luck to them.  He congratulated the girls’ basketball team on a great season.  He stated he knows some players were out, but they put in a lot of work.  He commented there is always something going on in our buildings.  He thanked the staff and custodians for all the work they are doing because the buildings always look great.  

Valerie Alexander – Ms. Alexander stated she appreciates how much work is involved behind the scenes to get all the information in the board packet to them for meetings.  She stated she was a parent who participated in the 8th grade scheduling for the high school and it was ran well and they did a great job.  She stated it was well put together, informative, and everyone was there to answer questions.  She stated it was a great experience.   

Lance Engle – Mr. Engle concurred with his fellow board members.  He thanked Mr. Marshall for the information on NWEA testing and stated that’s fantastic.  He commented middle school gets caught in the cross hairs sometimes and to have some tangible things you can see to show your teachers and students that what they are doing is working and they are going in the right direction is fantastic.  He asked Mr. Marshall to inform them the Board appreciates all the hard work they’ve done.  He congratulated the girls’ basketball team on being County Champs and stated it was one highlight of the winter.  He stated seeing the smiles and emotions on the girls’ faces, celebrating on their home court was great.  He stated they’ve had a rough few seasons and to see them come up with a County Championship was a great moment.  He wished good luck to the swimmers and wrestlers as they move on.  He stated the Albany project has been a tough road, especially from bid day in the fall until now with all the work, time, meeting after meeting, and getting it to where we hope it can be.  He thanked everyone for making that happen.  He thanked everyone for their donations.  He stated it’s awesome to see our community come together for our kids to have a better environment to grow and learn.  He stated the behind the scenes people are doing great work that people don’t always get to see and he appreciates it.  He stated the Board sees it, they tell them about it, and there is great work being done here.

14. FUTURE MEETINGS

1. A regular meeting for the Board of School Trustees is scheduled for Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.

15. ADJOURNMENT

A Work Session was held immediately following the business meeting.

A motion was made by Jacob Case and seconded by Valerie Alexander and Board President, Lance Engle, adjourned the meeting at 7:47 p.m.

February 5, 2024

LANCE ENGLE               

VALERIE ALEXANDER

JACOB CASE  

JOHN ADAMS

ALICE GILLIS